June 25, 1998 - Duluth, GA: Wegener Corporation (NASDAQ: WGNR), today announced today that Paxson Communications Corporation (AMEX -PAX) selected Wegener UNITY 4000 digital video receivers and the COMPEL network control system for network distribution.
"After Paxson's examination of competitive products, we are delighted to be the digital choice for PAX NET," said Wegener President Keith N. Smith. "This selection shows that broadcasters continue to identify the advantages of the COMPEL network control system linked to Wegener UNITY digital video receivers."
PAX NET will deploy UNITY 4000 digital video receivers in both broadcast television stations and cable headends and is the latest broadcast network to select COMPEL, Wegener's patented network control system that provides remote control uplinks supplying Bandwidth-on-Demand and the unparalleled ability to regionalize programming and commercials through total receiver control.
"Wegener provides one of the most sophisticated and adaptable receivers and control systems on the market today," commented Dave Glenn, Paxson's Vice President of Engineering. "The high caliber of Wegener's UNITY digital video receivers, combined with the powerful COMPEL network control system, will support Paxson's technological efforts to deliver quality distribution."
ABOUT WEGENER COMMUNICATIONS
Wegener Corporation, based in Duluth, Georgia, through its wholly owned subsidiary Wegener Communications, designs and manufactures communications transmission and receiving equipment for broadcast television, cable television, radio networks, business television, distance education, and data communications.
ABOUT PAXSON COMMUNICATIONS
Paxson Communications owns and operates the nation's largest group of television stations. Supported by these distribution assets, Paxson will launch PAX NET, the national family entertainment network, on August 31, 1998. The foundation of the network's prime-time schedule includes the off-network hit series Touched By an Angel, Promised Land, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Diagnosis Murder and Life Goes On and newly announced original programming including, the Walt Disney World Magic Hour, Flipper and Louisa May Alcott's Little Men series. Additionally, the line-up includes I'll Fly Away, Dave's World, Christy, The Father Dowling Mystery Series, Highway To Heaven, Love Boat, Eight Is Enough, and Neon Rider, as well as theatrical and made-for-television movies.
Including all pending transactions, construction projects, divestitures and other transactions, Paxson will broadcast via a total of 78 television stations in markets that contain more than 72 million US television households, including stations in all of the top-20 US television markets as well as 43 of the nationís top-50 markets.
For additional information about Paxson Communications visit the company's web site at www.pax.net.
For further information, please contact:
Pat Waddell
Wegener Communication
11350 Technology Circle
Duluth, GA 30097
Phone: 770-814-4000
Email: info@wegener.com
World Wide Web: www.wegener.com
COMPEL and UNITY are trademarks of Wegener Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of federal securities laws, that involve risks and uncertainties. All statements herein, other than those consisting solely of historical facts, that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including such things as business strategy, measures to implement strategy, competitive strengths, goals, references to future success and other events may be forward-looking statements. Statements herein are based on certain assumptions and analysis made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and potential future developments, as well as other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results, events and developments will conform with the Company's expectations is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and important factors that could cause actual results, events and developments to differ materially from those referenced in, contemplated by or underlying any forward-looking statements herein, including, among others, the continued development and viability of the Company's television operations, the Company's ability to manage its growth, the Company's high level of indebtedness, restrictions imposed on the Company by the terms of its indebtedness and preferred stock, the impact of government regulations, industry and economic conditions, competition, changes in operating expenses, industry and economic conditions and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Consequently, all forward-looking statements made herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results, events or developments referenced herein will occur or be realized.
voice 770 814-4000 • fax 770 623-0698 • email: info@wegener.com
©1999 Wegener Communications